Wednesday, November 9, 2022

LAST OF MY PHOTOS FROM COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG - OUR OCTOBER TRIP

I am starting off with the Governor's Palace.  We didn't get off the main street this time.  No photos closer up, except for the one I cropped below.  
The Governor's Palace was the official residence for the royal governors of colonial Virginia during much of the 18th century.  It was constructed in 1706-1722 and housed seven royal governors and two post-colonial governors, Patrick Henry and Thomas JeffersonThe house served as a hospital for American soldiers during the Battle of Yorktown in 1781, and was destroyed by fire later that year.  (I couldn't find out what caused the fire.)  The site ended up in the possession of The College of William and Mary, which erected two school buildings near where the Palace once stood.  The property was purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in 1928.  In 1930 archaeologist from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation excavated the site and uncovered the original foundation. The entire palace was reconstructed in 1934, and it opened to the public as part of Colonial Williamsburg on April 23, 1934. Originally decorated with inaccurate Colonial Revival style antiques, the interior was refurnished in 1981 with pieces better representing the Palace’s 18th century décor. Additional changes were made in 2006 to reflect the Palace’s appearance during the residency of Lord Dunmore. Today the Governor’s Palace is a part of Colonial Williamsburg.  You can purchase a ticket which will include most buildings (not the ones privately owned obviously) in Colonial Williamsburg.  You can take a self-guided tour of the Governor’s Palace, information of rates and times can be found at the visitor center at this link.
Queen Elizabeth II visited Williamsburg and Yorktown in 1957 and 2007, which you can read about here.  Winston Churchill before her in 1946.  There is a website at this link with old photos of other notables.  You have to scroll down to see, but the information is an interesting read also.
Carriage rides seem to be very popular, though I have never taken one in all the years we have been visiting.  We have just enjoyed walking around but maybe one day we will take a ride.
The history the Duke of Gloucester Street can be found here.  
It said that the street began as a narrow trace.  I assumed 'trace' was the same as a trail (with other meanings), and the definition of 'trace' in this instance means a path, trail or road made by the passage of animals, people or vehicles.
The Courthouse was constructed from 1770 to 1771.  As Clerk of Courts, it fell to Benjamin Waller to read aloud the Declaration of Independence here on July 25th, 1776, after it arrived from Philadelphia.
The old stocks were not in use for photo ops.  There was a sign explaining why, and I read online that they are perhaps getting too old for safe use.  
The Duke of Gloucester Street is lined with these lovely colonial homes.  A few are privately owned, so make sure you are not having a looky-loo in someone's garden before checking to see if there is a sign out front.  I am not saying the building below is one of those homes, I don't know. It's good to check though.
Next is the Greenhow Store which "offers a variety of colonial items similar to those sold by Mr. Greenhow in the 18th century, including wrought iron, willow baskets, fabrics, tinware and porcelain."  
John Greenhow came from High House near Kendal in England, and settled in Williamsburg, America.  The emigrant ancestor of the Greenhows in America was a prosperous merchant of Williamsburg, carrying quality merchandise and fine teas.  He was active in the commercial and social life of Williamsburg for more than a third of a century.
Next is the home of Catherine Blaikely, explanation in the photo below this one.
There is a fascinating podcast about being a midwife in colonial times, not for everyone I know but its more historical than anything else.  You can listen to it at this link.
Next you can see another building with a ladder on the roof, which is there in case of fire.  It is the Hartwell Perry Ordinary.  Hartwell Perry was the gentleman proprietor.  An Ordinary was similar to a tavern or inn but was usually less elegant.  
The sign outside is a rebus based on his name (rebus is defined as a representation of words or syllables by pictures of objects or by symbols whose names resemble the intended words or syllables in sound.  Also, a riddle made up of such pictures or symbols). Now when I go back, I will be looking at all the signs hanging by these shops, trying to figure them all out.  For this 'rebus', someone explained that a male deer is known as 'hart', the 'well' is another part of his name).  Perry (as in his last name) is a drink made from pears.  I found a blog that shows how Perry is made if you'd like to take a look.  You can see it here.  

My research takes me all over the place.  And to repeat something I have perhaps shared before, my parents always said, "She was always a very curious child."  I am not sure that was meant to be said as a good thing or a bad thing, hehehe!  They loved me, that's all that counts.
Also, Gregg made a good point, that many people in those days were not taught to read, and the signs would point them in the right direction.
The last two photos I took I was near Merchant Square, and looking at a sign in the flower bed.  At the bottom it thanks us for giving the Ground wasps their space, and a short explanation of how they protect our deciduous trees.  At this link you can read more about them, but here are a few facts:

Solitary wasps are common beneficial insects in landscapes * they hunt and capture other insects or spiders to feed their young * they are not aggressive toward people and rarely sting * Solitary wasps should be tolerated and ignored whenever possible.

And, if you enlarge the sign below, you will read that they are Cicada killers and protect deciduous trees from leaf damaged caused by Cicadas.
I found two interesting articles, the first of a blogger on a walking tour around Williamsburg.  You will find it here.  Also, a gentleman who is one of those in costume, was interviewed here.  


That's about all for now, and the 'curious child' is going to give you all a break.  This will be the last of my photos from Colonial Williamsburg, until we can go next time.  We are hoping to see it all decorated for the holidays before the end of the year.  Fingers crossed!

Have a great weekend everyone. 




40 comments:

  1. What a delightful place. I too was a 'curious' child - and still am. I suspect I would love to take a carriage ride too.

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    1. Hello fellow curious child. That's so nice to know. One day Sue we will each get our carriage ride :)

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  2. Informative post Denise. I enjoyed reading it along with the photos.

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    1. I think so too Angie, and I am happy you feel the same, thank you :)

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  4. Wonderful. Y'know, you being such a "curious child" we all benefit from your posts!! Interesting fact about the illiterate/signs AND the roof ladders.

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    1. Thank you for that Anni, it makes me happy you think so, and that you enjoyed this post :)

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  5. A great effort with such a great writing. The facades of various buildings tell the story too

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    1. I much appreciate your kind comments Roentare, thank you! I have always said if only walls could talk :)

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  6. I have enjoyed the tour. I would love to walk around and see it all in person

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    1. That's great Ann, and if ever you decide to see this area, I would be happy to be your tour guide :)

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  7. Hello,
    Great tour and photos of Williamsburg. Take care, enjoy your day!

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    1. Thank you Eileen, happy you enjoyed and you take care and enjoy your day also :)

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  8. It looks a lovely place and so interesting as well. If only walls could talk.
    Keep well Diane

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    1. Hi Diane, thank you and yes indeed, if only walls could talk. You keep well also :)

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  9. Beautiful photos Denise. You had good weather for your trip. As I've mentioned before I appreciate your large print and anything visual for your blog posts. Have a good day.

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    1. Thank you Linda and yes, the weather was gorgeous! Thank you also for acknowledging the larger print and others. Really appreciate that! You have a good day too :)

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    1. Thanks Sandi :) simple yet in many ways difficult.

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  11. I think the ost interesting to me today is about the wasps!! I'm wondering what your job used to be, because you really should have been a teacher. Did you go in the store? I would have rushed there first thing!

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    1. Thank you Ginny, that's a lovely compliment as I have always had a great respect for the teaching profession. I have always loved history and have an insatiable curiosity about such things. I like to put as much as I can down in my blog posts about the places we visit as I don't want to forget, and I am happy that my blogging friends enjoy them too. We didn't actually go into the stores this time as they are small and were crowded. I have on other trips though .

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  12. Forgot to say I love the pretty blue carriage. But I don't fancy riding behind the rear end of a horse!

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    1. And you made me laugh out loud at this one. No, I wouldn't want to do that either :)))

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  13. This is history. Very nice old buildings. Yes, do take a carriage ride on the grounds. That would be lovely.

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  14. I had not thought about the signs and people unalbe to read. that makes so much sense. I did not think I would ever say i like a house painted brown, but the ordinary is attractive, and not so ordinary. LOL... I so much enjoy your photos of these old homes, they are just so beautiful. when you said governor palace, i thought this is a house not a palace, so looked up definition and it does fit the word palace. to me a palace is where a king/queen lives... now i know I was wrong, at least once in my life. ha ha

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    1. It was very interesting to me too Sandra. I agree with you about the brown house. In such surroundings that color seemed to fit like an old glove :) Interesting about you looking up 'palace'. I didn't think of that and am glad to know now. Thank you so much :) And you are right about a lot of things :)))

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  15. Terrific shots! I'd very much like to go there someday.

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    1. That's great William, so glad you enjoyed :) I hope you take the trip down here one day and see it for yourself.

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  16. A lovely post from your trip.
    Great photographs.
    I do hope you will be able to return to see it all decorated for the holidays.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan, I hope so and all the best to you too :)

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  17. I love both the photos and your commentary. Nice research! I've learned things here and also enjoyed the series tremendously. It makes me want to return!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed Jeanie, thank you :) I always enjoy returning to Williamsburg.

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  18. This is what I love to visit. Wonderful photos Denise. I thank you for sharing great info and marvelous photos.

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    1. They are fun and interesting places aren't they Carol? :) Thank you, I am happy you enjoyed.

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  19. Denise, your posts are always full of wonderful information! I always learn something new when I come here. I did not know about the signage and found it interesting. I like what Gregg said about not many folks knowing how to read. We all benefit when we are curious I think! It's quite evident from reading your blog you are still a curious child and that's wonderful!

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    1. Hello Martha Ellen :) much appreciated. I agree with you totally, our curiosity opens up so many interesting doors. It's true, I still have the curious child in me, and always want to find out more about things. Thank you!

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